Honoring the seasons: Winter = going deep

With winter quickly approaching, I find myself in need of more quiet time, seeking pockets of stillness in my day wherever I can find it. As the days are getting shorter, it’s natural to want to go inward and spend time on self-reflection. This week’s yoga offerings reflected my pull to quiet and this transition from fall to winter. Rather than move through flow sequences, we built heat by holding the poses, sinking into them, and allowing the body to settle in, unwind and go deep. By the end of class, faces were bright and shining, and the energy was quiet, sweet and peaceful.

It is a powerful act to honor and align with the seasons in this way. When the leaves fall away from the tree’s branches and a plant’s energy begins to move to its roots, the power and medicine shifts from above ground to the underworld. Similarly, we can draw our own energy in and down to connect with our source of power during this time of year.

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As the holidays overflow with opportunities to enjoy our community and connect with others, there is also a need to create space to connect with the stillness. This stillness is a resource with a never-ending supply. When we tap into that deep space, we have an endless resource of comfort, peace and strength with which to move forward.

Here are two simple ways to align with the seasons and to drop deep:

1. Notice what’s happening with life outside your door. What are the animals doing? What are the plants doing? What are you already doing that reflects the season you’re in? What can you do to be more aligned with the season? **If you ever feel confused or lost, look to the plants and animals. They will offer possibilities and guidance for finding your way back to the flow of life.** 
   
2. Lie on the ground, in sivasana (corpse pose). Allow the body to settle in for a few breaths, making any micro-movements necessary to be comfortable. Allow the pelvis to be heavy. Take deep, full, slow breaths and on each exhale, feel the pelvis get heavier. Offer your weight to the ground with each breath and allow the ground/earth to receive your weight, to hold you. Find the place in you where stillness resides. There’s no need to go searching for the stillness; you’ll notice your attention is gently drawn there. Allow the awareness to settle into the still space and make the simple offering of your breath.

May you find alignment with the seasons, know the stillness within and allow yourself to DrOp dEEp.